Christian Debate

I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, yet looking at the blowing of the winds, the shape of the clouds in the sky, and the hue of dawn, I find it safe to say that these are going to be interesting times. These times we will need to be sharp. Our Berean caps need to be on not only in regards to what out media throws at us, but with what out pastors preach to us. That being said, put it on now!

Christian, do you know how to argue? Are you ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within and to do so with gentleness and respect? A primary aspect of that on the debate scene is a lack of ad hominem. No name calling. Yes, call a spade a spade. Jesus renounced the Pharisees as hypocrites and whitewashed tombs, John the Baptist called the Pharisees a brood of vipers and Herod a fox! There is a time and a place for that kind of bluntness, but let it be backed up with rock solid fact. We as Christians cannot have the world looking at us and saying we are just like them. There should be no accusation of foul play in any arena, let alone the arena of public discourse. As a practical example: Let us not mud-sling or name-call President Obama. Rather, let us attack full force on issues of policy that are clearly anti-biblical. Moreover, let us pray for him and his family regularly. Pray for their salvation and safety, add to the President wisdom to rule rightly. Doing so should in no way be distasteful to any Christian, rather it should be a delight!

Second, let the false accusations come. Let them call us intolerant narrow-minded hate-mongers! Let them laugh at us via YouTube and FunnyOrDie. Praise God for that! The world SHOULD hate us. The world should scorn us and laugh at us. If any man call himself Christian and consort with those of the world without any malice flung his way, such a man is of the devil. If any man call himself Christian and attempt to befriend the world system, such a man is no friend of God. So, should we defend ourselves? Yes and no. We see that clearly in Proverbs where two consecutive verses tell us to NOT answer a fool according to his folly and TO answer a fool according to his folly. Let me reconcile that quickly: there are black eyes and soft spots in Christianity. Some of them are cause for HONEST, LEGITIMATE questions or concerns. We should address those. Also, there are half-truths and bad hermeneutics out there. (We are moving into a gray area so be aware.) Should we answer those questions of “Doesn’t God approve of slavery?” and “Why is the God of the Old Testament ordering the death of innocent babies?” and “How could Noah fit all those animals on the ark?” each of those questions could be asked honestly. We ought to be ready to answer intelligently, cogently, and politely. Nevertheless, those same questions can be asked in a sarcastic, biting, and downright mean way. Those people should not be answered. God does not need us to fight a battle He Himself has not ordained. Why fight the people God is laughing at?

Most importantly, we must do it all in love. We must do it all in order to point them to the glorious cross of Christ wherein sinners find peace with God. That should be our only motive. Not pride. Not out of some vain attempt to please God by going around saying, “My dad can beat up your dad!” Our motive, purpose, and end must be to see people be born again!